This four-hour Master Class is designed for Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) Officers navigating today’s fast-changing philanthropic environment. Through candid conversations and practical takeaways, participants will explore how to adapt strategies and strengthen partnerships in 2025 and beyond.

Session Highlights:
Evolving Funder Priorities: Learn how leading foundations are refining their focus and language in response to shifting social, economic, and political dynamics.
Adapting to Legal Changes: Hear from CFR leaders in states impacted by affirmative action bans as they share how they’re updating donor strategies and case statements while staying aligned with institutional goals.
Inside the Foundation Mindset: Participate in small-group discussions with staff from the Sloan and Doris Duke Foundations to gain firsthand insights into current funding approaches and partnership opportunities.

Hosted at the Doris Duke Center, this session offers space for meaningful, in-depth dialogue with peers and foundation professionals.

This year's newcomers class presents an unparalleled opportunity for participants to gain insights from seasoned leaders in CFR, forge connections with their peers, and delve into robust discussions encompassing their own work, the evolving landscape of the field, and its future trajectory. The panel promises to be an immersive journey through every stage of a CFR career path, spanning from the initial entry to the intricate art of relationship-building — both externally and internally — while strategically navigating one's career path. The session’s panelists, representing a diverse spectrum of CFR leadership, will spearhead an engaging discussion, sharing personal narratives of their journey into the field, highlighting the intrinsic passion that drives their commitment, and illuminating the strategic maneuvers that have shaped their careers. From examining the intricacies of organizational structures to cultivating invaluable alliances and assembling a personalized toolkit for success, this panel will comprehensively explore the multifaceted dimensions of CFR work. Moreover, it will provide a nurturing platform for participants to share their experiences and ask questions, in an atmosphere of open inquiry in which participants and presenters learn from each other.

Take this opportunity to connect informally with colleagues from institutions with common interests. Please note lunch is not provided, but feel free to bring your own lunch to enjoy while you reconnect with colleagues! Discussion will be moderated by a representative from your peer institutions.

In a time of economic uncertainty, shifting research landscapes, and unpredictable political and budgetary climates, how can foundations continue to drive impact in science and beyond?, how can foundations continue to drive impact in science and beyond? In this session, David Spergel, President of the Simons Foundation, will deliver a presentation on how the Simons Foundation is navigating these challenges while staying committed to advancing fundamental research. He will share insights on the foundation’s strategic priorities, and the role of philanthropy in sustaining scientific innovation. Following the presentation, a moderated Q&A led by Yvonne Devineni, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations at Dartmouth will provide an opportunity for attendees to engage directly with Dr. Spergel on these critical issues.

Many Foundation Relations teams deploy digests of funding opportunities across their campuses to drive applications and funder engagement. Building on our highly attended session last year, we still have much wisdom to share between facilitators and among participants- whether one is launching a digest program or looking to improve their existing one. Funding opportunity digests provide a platform to highlight foundation relations work, have a great return on investment for one’s efforts, and build relationships on campus and with foundations.
Join Dave Reynolds (Director of Foundation Relations, UMass Chan Medical School) and Kristilyn Stevenson (Foundation Relations Coordinator, MIT) for continued facilitated discussion of best practices for researching, organizing, and disseminating private funding opportunities to your campus. Kristilyn and Dave collaborated on the MIT digest and Dave now oversees UMass Chan’s. Please come join in the discussion on dissemination models from a private and a public university—and we encourage you to share more about your own too, including things you may have tried since last year if you were in attendance.

In the competitive world of philanthropy, seamless collaboration among Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) professionals, Major Gift Officers (MGOs), and Prospect Development (PD), including prospect management and research colleagues is crucial for success. Join CFR, MGO, and PD experts from Mount Sinai Health System for an interactive session designed to showcase the strengths each role brings to effective teamwork. Through real-world strategies, success stories, and best practices, this session will highlight how CFR professionals and MGOs can work together more effectively. Discover how investment in prospect development can enhance the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of CFR prospects. Attendees will gain actionable insights to boost their organization’s fundraising efforts and strengthen their connections with supported programs. Walk away with improved communication strategies and a deeper understanding of how Mount Sinai’s approach can inspire more productive partnerships within your own organization.

At a university, there are many different stakeholders for industry partnerships and the interest to work with companies is only increasing. Companies may engage with university staff in offices of research, development, career services, procurement, and tech transfer; they may also engage directly with faculty and labs. So, how can university professionals support, enhance, and create new strategic corporate partnerships that align with a university’s research and education mission? In this session, a panel of experts with extensive experience in university-industry partnerships will explore the strategic considerations essential to forging successful collaborations. Panelists will also discuss practical approaches to forging collaborations centered on talent, innovation, and research such as industry affiliates programs, consortia, and accelerators. This session is ideal for professionals seeking actionable strategies to enhance their institution's partnership efforts with industry leaders. Panelists: Sean Burns ((Associate Dean of Development, New York University, Tandon School of Engineering), Sharon Sputz (Associate Vice President of Research Initiatives and Development, Columbia University), Nicholas Querques (Vice President of Industry and External Affairs, SUNY Research Foundation)

In light of recent federal funding cuts and uncertainties facing universities across the United States, this panel discussion will explore strategies for effectively managing corporate and foundation relations teams during these challenging times. Experienced leaders in the field will lead an open discussion with opportunities for participants to ask questions, share insights, and learn from each other. How are CFR practitioners addressing questions from leaders who might want corporations and foundations to offset potential losses in federal funding? How are our teams identifying new funding opportunities and diversifying revenue streams?

In 2024, the Dana Foundation announced Loyola University Chicago, Mass General Brigham, and University of California, Los Angeles together with Charles Drew University (UCLA-CDU) as awardees of the Dana Center initiative for Neuroscience & Society. This partnership aims to bring together leading academic institutions, neuroscientists, and the communities they serve to co-create the future of neuroscience. Join us for a fireside chat on the fundraising process, partnerships, and philanthropic strategies that led to the establishment of the Dana Centers. Speakers will reflect on the opportunities, roadblocks, and shared vision that shaped this landmark philanthropic investment.

As global investment in artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates—projected to double and reach $632 billion by 2028—the for-profit sector continues to lead in technological innovation. Yet, the social and education sectors have lagged in adopting and investing in transformative AI solutions. Philanthropy now stands at a pivotal crossroads: it possesses the unique flexibility and risk tolerance to fuel AI-powered experimentation that prioritizes safe, fair, and equitable outcomes over profit. Join Sarah Di Troia, Managing Director of Project Evident’s OutcomesAI practice, for an in-depth exploration of how foundations and grantmakers can seize this moment to shape AI’s role in civil society. With over thirty years of experience as a grantmaker, strategic advisor, and nonprofit executive, Sarah brings a unique perspective from her leadership at the intersection of AI, philanthropy, and social impact. Drawing on recent research—including the February 2024 report “Inspiring Action: Identifying the Social Sector AI Opportunity Gap”—this session will unpack why more nonprofit practitioners than funders are currently leveraging AI, and how this gap may hinder the sector’s ability to innovate and address pressing societal challenges. Sarah will highlight actionable insights for funders and grantees seeking to empower nonprofits to explore, experiment, and responsibly harness AI for social good. Attendees will gain a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities in AI grantmaking. Participants will leave equipped to champion innovation that centers the needs of the most vulnerable, and to drive collective action that ensures AI serves as a force for positive, equitable change in society.